The fantasy football finals are here and it is that time of year where every decision made can make or break your championship run. Fantasy matchups are more important now and it is necessary to pick players with the best matchups. We have you covered with our Salute Magazine Week 16 choose or lose tight ends.

CHOOSE

JULIUS THOMAS VS. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

It’s been a long time since anyone has said this but the Jacksonville Jaguars have one of the best passing attacks in the NFL. Blake Bortles continues to prove that the Jaguars made the right choice and he’s building a great rapport with Julius Thomas.

Thomas’ four game touchdown streak ended last week but he still recorded 79 receiving yards against the Falcons who are good against tight ends.

Owners of Thomas will be happy to see him play against the Saints who are dead last in the league against tight ends. Start Thomas with confidence this week.

ANTONIO GATES VS. OAKLAND RAIDERS

The San Diego Chargers situation at receiver is still terrible. They don’t have a definitive number one receiver and Stevie Johnson continues to be limited in practice before their Thursday night game against the Raiders.

Antonio Gates has caught six passes in each of the last three games and that should continue against the Raiders who are 30th against opposing tight ends. You know Philip Rivers is going to find a way to get him the ball.

LOSE

JORDAN REED VS. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

Jordan Reed has been absolutely on fire over the last two weeks. He had very favorable matchups against the Bills and Bears but now he has a much tougher matchup against the Eagles. Reed has been a productive fantasy option for the most part but his worst games this season have come against the Eagles and Cowboys.

Those teams in the NFC East know how to shut him down, he only had five catches for 37 yards the last time the Redskins played the Eagles. DeSean Jackson is finally starting to play well and he’ll want revenge against the Eagles. I wouldn’t have high expectations for Jordan Reed this week.

TRAVIS KELCE VS. CLEVELAND BROWNS

Travis Kelce was supposed to be the beneficiary of being in an offense that doesn’t throw to wide receivers. It seemed like that was the case during the first half of the season. However, Jeremy Maclin is starting to hit his stride in the Chiefs offense which means less for Kelce in terms of targets.

The former Cincinnati standout may have had a solid game last week but the Browns have only allowed more than 50 receiving yards to tight ends only four times this season. This matchup could not have come at a worse time for fantasy owners.

ON THE BUBBLE

GARY BARNIDGE VS. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

Gary Barnidge has consistently been the second best fantasy tight end all season. One of the biggest reasons why is because their only other passing option is Travis Benjamin. The Kansas City Chiefs are the best in the league at defending the tight end position which means they have a great chance of shutting him down.

However, it’s tough count out Barnidge from having a good day because he gets so many targets and he even managed to record a touchdown against the Seahawks defense last week. Something will have to give this week.